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Family planning

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Original poster

Talk to me about the coil....

22 replies

Lostmyway86 · 21/05/2021 20:05

Ok, so I have 2 babies only 16 months apart (youngest 6 months) and need to sort contraception ASAP. I can't go on the pill due to blood pressure issues and I'm thinking coil might be the best option. But I have concerns....

Do you get a period? I've heard horror stories of people getting pregnant on the coil. Without a period how would you know? My body/mind couldn't cope with another child.
can you feel it? What's it like when being inserted and does it have to be changed frequently? I really dislike tampons and it makes me feel weird thinking there'd be something there!
what does it actually do to prevent pregnancy?

Thanks!

OP posts:

DistrictCommissioner · 21/05/2021 20:09

I have the copper coil, I get periods as normal as it’s not hormonal. It lasts 10 years. Insertion was fine, it went in nearly 6 years ago though so can’t really remember!

If you have the mirena then you don’t get periods as it gives a low dose of hormones, although some people get breakthrough bleeding instead.

Original poster

Lostmyway86 · 21/05/2021 20:12

@DistrictCommissioner Thanks so much. I'd much rather get a period just so I know I'm not pregnant so will specifically ask for that.

OP posts:

grafittiartist · 21/05/2021 20:13

Copper coil - love it!
Normal periods. Forget about it for years! 5 years I think?

Stichintime · 21/05/2021 20:14

I had the mirena twice, for 5 years each. I still had a period, but much lighter each month. I had no problems at all, except the last one was very painful to remove, because my wombs old now I would choose it over the pill, because its really no hassle once its in.

Original poster

Lostmyway86 · 21/05/2021 20:32

@Stichintime

I had the mirena twice, for 5 years each. I still had a period, but much lighter each month. I had no problems at all, except the last one was very painful to remove, because my wombs old now

I would choose it over the pill, because its really no hassle once its in.

Arr ok so you did still have a period....did you get cramps and usual pmt symptoms too? I wonder why they choose the copper or mirena...

OP posts:

tilder · 21/05/2021 20:39

Love my mirena, but they are a bit marmite on here.

There are risks to it as with any contraception. How it works can be a bit controversial too. So read the NHS advice carefully.

I wanted something reliable and long lasting. It's not 100%, but closer than most. I don't get on with the pill. I also have very heavy periods that copper coil exacerbated.

I get a very small bleed now. For 2-3 days. It's been life changing for me. But I loathe having it fitted.

Original poster

Lostmyway86 · 21/05/2021 20:42

@tilder thank you, tell me honestly what tne fitting involves.....worse than a smear? I have a long cervix apparently and they always get out the 'special implement' for that....

OP posts:

Stichintime · 21/05/2021 21:21

Sorry, to make clear I had the minrena for heavy bleeding originally, pain etc. The coil totally transformed them, as well as the additional benefit of being a contraception you don't have to think about. Yes it's a bit uncomfortable being fitted, but is usually quick!

NoFashion · 21/05/2021 21:32

I never fancy the coil insertion as heard a lot of horror stories.

But I really like the implant. No pain to get in/out as they numb your arm.

3 years of no hassle.

I have much lighter periods. But still one each month.

Tickly · 21/05/2021 21:40

Mirena here. Absolutely brilliant - no periods after about 12 weeks (some get some spotting). They last 5 years. You are super super unlikely to get pregnant with one in as there's no scope for human error like there is with the pill. I HD no spotting or cramping. They recommend you do your own internal check that the strings are still there which is how you know it's still fitted as there's a small chance it can fall out - this isn't hard to do and dh has never felt them or anything as they're quite high up.
Getting it fitted initially is no more uncomfortable than a smear. The doctor who fits them has to do a certain number a year to be allowed to do it, which means they're good and quick. It will help you've had two children too as your cervix will be more open.

Do you have a local women's health clinic? Ours is one for the borough and they provide general advice as to options too. I've had an implant before and it make me super anxious as the hormone release is more general rather than physically local like the coil.

AyyMacarena · 21/05/2021 21:41

I had a mirena coil for around three hours. I went into cervical shock when it was inserted and was in horrific pain for the entire time, they wanted me to wait for it to pass but i wouldn't allow myself to feel that pain for any other reason so I asked that they remove it. I was in pain for a long time after and am now being investigated by a consultant with an upcoming laparoscopy. They believe that I have excessive scar tissue which can cause issues with the coil.

It sounds like such a wonderful thing and I was so excited to have it but it just didn't work out. I thought I'd give you the other side of the story just in case.

QueenPaw · 21/05/2021 22:34

I have a copper one, now on my third. I check the strings every so often but that's it, the one I have now is a 10 year one
Had it fitted at the family planning clinic and because I'm a wimp I went to the "difficult patient clinic" which has another name but they do double appointments and can do local anaesthetic etc. I had local anaesthetic gel

Fitting is a speculum like a smear one, then they measure your womb which is like a big cramp, then fit the coil, another big cramp. For me it hurts enough to go OW but then it's done
Went a bit faint after the last one so had a fan on and lay down for a bit but was fine after

tilder · 21/05/2021 22:36

My last one was fitted 4 years ago. Not more painful than a smear, but feels more intrusive. Brilliant once it's in. No more flooding periods.

Sorry you had such a bad experience AyyMacarena

KateTheEighth · 21/05/2021 22:40

Not helpful bu I got pregnant on the mirena coil

troppibambini6 · 21/05/2021 22:43

I had the copper for a year. I loved except for 2 days a month when I bled so so heavily and had really bad period pain. My periods weren't great before but I felt so so ill with them with the copper coil.
I swapped to a mirena and it was the best thing I ever did. I don't have periods except for a tiny bit of spotting every few months. I won't ever not have one now.
Insertion and removal was fine she put some numbing gel on my cervix and it was like a more rummagy smear. She told me to sit up slowly as it can make you feel a bit light headed but I was fine.

Imcrc · 21/05/2021 22:48

I had the mirena put in, in January after my second baby.
I had a few cramps and odd bleeding (very light) and now I'm fine! I forget it's there! I'm useless with the pill, hello DD1 lol! And I had the implant and it was a dream the first time, no periods and no problems. Second time I was on a constant period and I gained weight it was not a good time.
This mirena has been fab. I feel really secure and I have no side effects so far. The bleeding was a bit all over the place for a while, but it was sooooo light. Now it's a bit more regular but I barely notice It like i only need panty liners!

MajesticWhine · 21/05/2021 22:49

I've had the copper coil for years. It's been brilliant. It was a bastard to get in, to be quite honest; possibly due to retroverted uterus or some such; it took a couple of attempts. It's been good to have normal periods, and a normal sex drive.

GroggyLegs · 21/05/2021 22:55

I have the copper coil - I didn't want hormonal contraception as it makes me feel really low.

First couple of months my period was heavy, and a strange coppery smell like pennies, but thank goodness that passed & now it's just a normal regular period.

No more worrying about missed pills! I love it.

optimistic40 · 21/05/2021 23:01

I had copper coil three times. They had to remove it the last time due to some organisms growing on the cord.

Insertion is fine post kids
Periods were heavier PLUS ongoing light brown spotting before and after my period - I was bleeding more days of the month than I wasn't!

Haveyoubrushedyourteeth · 21/05/2021 23:05

I've had the Mirena for 8 years now, so had it changed once. I didn't know what to expect, but thought if it didn't suit then I'd give it a few months and get it removed. Other than a strange dragging feeling/heaviness like early pregnancy, for the first few days after I've had it inserted, I don't know it's there. My periods are just a monthly spotting, and I've very little pmt.

I'd heard such horror stories about having it fitted, and when I went to the doctors I was a bit as the nurse was holding my hand, but honestly it was absolutely fine, I didn't feel anything, the same when I had it changed.

It's been a game changer for me, and made life much easier.

Lemonlemon88 · 21/05/2021 23:14

I had a copper coil and had it removed after a year as every month was an absolute bloodbath and I had never had heavy periods before. I have a mirena now and it is much much better!

TakeMeToKernow · 21/05/2021 23:17

I’ve had the Mirena twice and both times the insertion was a bit rough on me. I don’t consider myself to be particularly delicate the insertion was like having all your period cramps at once and in the 1-2 hours afterwards I nearly passed out from the cramps (both times. I was daft enough to assume the second time wouldn’t be as bad as the first and thought I was going to faint while driving!)

BUT the payoff is terrific. Years of not worrying about contraception and very light periods.

Will probably have it again in the future (but get someone else to drive me home)

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